Praying For Rain In Melbourne

Standing by for a little more excitement in the second Grand Prix of the 2010 championship today in Australia. Rain is forecast around 15 minutes from the start which will prompt a flurry of pit stops and perhaps a shuffling of the deck as the teams compete to get in and out of the tight Melbourne pit lane (hampered by the slower 60 km/h speed limit and 55 metre clearance required on releasing drivers back into the lane from the pit). In fact, 10 mins from the start, the rain is now spitting down intermittently and strengthening.

Lewis is languishing in 11th on the grid and clearly rattled by the performance of his team-mate, Jensen, and his own misdemeanors off-track and you have to question Hamilton’s maturity and whether he is missing his father Anthony steadying influence. Once again, Seb Vettel is on pole in the Red Bull with homeboy Mark Webber beside him. Next to Ferrari’s Alonso is Jensen Button in an excellent 4th on the grid and ahead of the Mercedes Brawn pairing of Rosberg and Schuie.

Its a wonderful season already in terms of the driver / team mixes, including a welcome return from Schumacher. The racing has been less inspiring and it can only be hoped that the weather spices up the Aussie event. Off we go…..